Chapter 8: Insinuanity

(A.N: I just realized how fast the plot is progressing. If you want a sense of where we would be in the anime/novels, momonga is currently travelling with the swords of darkness. The reason people would've heard about him before the graveyard incident... He's wearing shining black armour half as tall as a house. What'd you expect. Also, I read the light novel only from book 6 onwards because it was only after anime season 2 that I realized the light novel existed.)

Shizu: ...I'll come with you now Lord Dabilosi.

Dabilosi: Eh? Ok then. I was actually expecting you to ask where we were going but now it's a bit awkward, uhm... SO! We're going to the humanocentric Slane Theocracy which is filled with characters far stronger than anywhere else as far as we know, and may even contain some characters who can rival the floor guardians or even Momonga and I considering they weren't surprised or anxious to find I could cast magic of the eighth tier. I'm bringing you rather than anyone else because there are very few denizens in Nazarick who fit my three criteria.

A: I must not be intimidated by said person, and I don't get intimidated by appearance but by their demeanour.

B: They must have positive karma and so will not hate or kill humans even if they get annoyed.

C: They must have a human-like form so they don't get killed on sight.

D: They must be strong enough to classify as a companion rather than a burden.

Dabilosi: Sebas fits my criteria, but he's required in other areas, as are everyone else who doesn't fall down on at least one of the criteria.

Shalltear: But Lord Dabilosi! I don't know what I'd do if I was to lose you, take me along as well!

Dabilosi: Don't you have other things to do as well?

Shalltear: Guh! Maybe, but I would drop everything to help you my Lord!!!

Dabilosi: How about you finish what you're supposed to be doing, and then send me a message and I'll come and collect you. That is, as long as you agree not to express your displeasure with humanity at all while you're in the country. Just make sure you don't get sloppy because I said that. Let's go Shizu.

Shizu: Ok then Lord Dabilosi.

Dabilosi: Oh right, while we're in the Slane Theocracy you will need to address me as Darnell-san, as it may be awkward otherwise.

Shizu: ...I don't think I can do that.

Dabilosi: Please just do your best.

After that brief exchange, we began the long journey towards the Slane Theocracy. In reality it didn't take any time at all because we just used a mirror of remote viewing to find the capital and then [Greater Teleportation] to get there. Why did I not think of that before?

In hindsight it probably wasn't the best idea to use [Twin Maximise Magic: Chain Dragon Lightning] to tell the Theocracy I'd arrived, but after, just over a minute, which is really astounding, it certainly brought a few major characters forward. At least, I hope they're major characters because if the general guard are this strong I have no chance against the upper echelons of the army. Wait. Hold on. WHAT THE F*CK IS THAT?! HOW DO THEY HAVE IT HERE!

Dabilosi: ||Downfall of Castle and Country||! How do you have that?!

Kaire: !

Captain: How do you know what this is? Also, since you know what it is, you must know that it is an artifact left behind by the six great gods, so why do you ask that as if it should not be ours?

Oh no. I let myself get carried away. I just hope they don't press the matter

Dabilosi: That is... I mean... Don't you dare charge that thing up around me or the only thing I can guarantee you is a swift death.

Captain: You say that like you have confidence in overpowering me.

Dabilosi: Kuh, obviously. Anyway, how did you get here so quickly?

Captain: We were on our way to defeat the Catastrophe Dragon Lord after it's revival. We were also tasked with protecting lady Kaire, as she holds ||Downfall of Castle and Country||. As such we can't fight any more battles than necessary.

As he said this a number of other individuals rushed round the corner, weapons drawn.

Dabilosi: Keh, I guess it can't be helped. Just get someone to show me in would you? I'm not likely to be welcomed just walking up to the grand doors and expecting to be let in am I?

Captain: Quaiesse, escort our guests in to see the cardinals.

Quaiesse: Sure. Just don't expect me to baby them, and I'll be back in a minute.

Captain: Don't mind him, he's always like this.

Quaiesse: Hey, I resent that statement!

Dabilosi: Yeh yeh, let's just get on with it.

I tried to sound as exasperated as possible, and it seemed to work as a number of them seemed irritated and those that didn't looked slightly amused. The inside of the palace was, opulent. It didn't look nearly as rich as Nazarick, but then I doubt anything ever will in this world. The design was also quite good, but I could see dust in the corners and other small details which really subtracted from it. I may have just been nitpicking because it can't be compared to anything else OTHER than Nazarick though. It would be considered magnificent.

Quaiesse: Huh. I took you two for country bums, but if you aren't gaping at the majesty of this place you must have at least some experience with royalty right?

Dabilosi: I bodyguarded a princess in the kingdom. That is my only experience with royalty. But I've seen ruins of a palace that must've been hundreds of times greater than this. That, is an experience I can be proud of. Shizu?

Shizu: I have only seen one palace.

Quaiesse: We're here. Oh and for the record, I don't believe you in the slightest.

With that he ran off. Rude. Anyway the doors in front of me were bigger than anywhere else, so I guessed that would be the most important room. I wonder what makes humans think bigger means better. Huh. All that was inside was a round table in the center of the room and another table, rectangular this time, at the end, with 6 figures in a row, each wearing masks reminiscent of the papal mitre.

I sat down at the closest chair so that I had a direct view of who I presumed were the cardinals, and just waited there for them to speak.

Raymond: Hello, Darnell of the Kingdom. This companion of yours did not seem to be with you last time, would you mind introducing her?

Right, first off!

Dabilosi: Sorry, you got that wrong, the only affiliation I have currently is with the oblivion council. Shizu can introduce herself.

Shizu: Darnell--san has many allies. I want to call myself one.

This is something I agreed on with Momonga over. We're going to give the world the impression we are a secretive power that has been around for over a thousand years and is made up of only the strongest. Given the power of the Slane Theocracy that I've seen, that shouldn't be too difficult to pass off.

Raymond: Oh? May I ask what this 'oblivion council' is?

Dabilosi: It is a group made up of the strongest in the world. I am objectively the strongest, but there is one who could beat me.

Raymond: And who are the individuals in such a council?

Dabilosi: They are unlikely to move at any point, as I am the first person to deal with mortals in over a thousand years. However, if the skeleton king moves, the others are likely to follow, and as I have moved it is possible. Very well. There are 9 major characters: A skeleton overlord, a true vampire, a hellfire demon, a monogamous succubus, an armoured insectoid, twin dark elves, some weird fleshy blob and the last one, of whom I am going to reveal nothing. Sadly, the dark elves, the insectoid and surprisingly the overlord himself are the only council members who have even slight tendencies towards good will, with the overlord funnily enough being willing to have good relations with humans.

Raymond: You say you are part of this council, blasphemous through it's very existence?

Dabilosi: Yes I am, and might I just add I am the reason there is not a general war on humans by the nine's various factions. In fact, the group altogether calls themselves 'Nine's Own Goal'.

Raymond: What would you have us do about it?

Dabilosi: Pf... Pfff. PFHAHAHAHA! Oh boy, that's great, that's brilliant! You lot, touch the big nine? If you can't even beat me, you haven't got a chance against their combined strength. Let me tell you something. Under the skeleton's banner alone there are more than 500 lesser skeletons each capable of beating the kingdom's strongest warrior, Gazef Stronoff. A single major henchman under the hellfire demon could take out the strongest man I met coming in here, and I haven't seen a single thing since coming here, other than ||Downfall of Kingdom and Country||, that can lay so much as a scratch on the insectoid. So to answer your question, I wouldn't have you do anything about it. Now, if you would kindly assign me my unit or position, I'll be on my way... Actually, I'd like to take a look at your strongest fighter, because you seemed confident you could deal with an eigth or even ninth tier mage.

Raymond: We are assigning you to the Black Scripture, a unit made up of our strongest fighters. However, we will need to assess your strength in order to decide which seat you would be placed as.

In other words, to see how far we can restrict you. Got it. The stronger the better, and yet if I show something too strong, they'll try to chain me down as well. Shizu plays it really safe and uses a sixth tier magic. I thought I'd just be a bit risky and use [Freezing Pillar], a ninth tier spell, and very carefully avoid saying it's my strongest. Even that seemed to startle them since I saw one visibly recoil ever so slightly.

Raymond: Is... that your strongest attack?

Dabilosi: You say it well. I do, however, have more than one spell of this tier and numerous in tiers below.

Raymond: In that case, congratulations. You are now the second extra seat in the Black Scripture. Please note that this does not mean you are a substitute, it means that you are too strong to be in the general unit. Your partner will become the new third seat of the general unit.

Oh, so they still believe their strongest can beat me eh? Second seat indeed, don't put me down like that! I'll have fun meeting my senior...